How Do You Spell BACTERIOLYSIN?

1. A bacteriolysin is a substance or enzyme that has the ability to cause lysis, or the destruction, of bacteria. It is specifically designed to target and break down the cell walls or membranes of bacteria, leading to their death.

   Bacteriolysins are typically produced by certain phagocytic cells of the immune system, such as macrophages and neutrophils, as part of the body's defense mechanism against bacterial infections. They play a crucial role in the immune response by neutralizing and eliminating bacterial pathogens.

   These substances work by attaching themselves to the surface of the bacteria and enzymatically degrading their protective outer structures. They often target specific components of the bacterial cell wall, such as peptidoglycans or lipopolysaccharides, causing the structural integrity of the cell to collapse. This disruption of the bacterial membrane leads to the release of intracellular contents and ultimately the death of the bacterium.

   Bacteriolysins can have broad or narrow specificity, meaning they can target a wide range of bacterial species or only certain types. They are crucial in fighting bacterial infections and are being studied for their potential use as therapeutic agents in medicine.

   Overall, bacteriolysins are important natural defense mechanisms of the immune system that play a vital role in combating bacterial pathogens through the destruction of their cell walls or membranes.

2. A specific immune body causing the solution of bacteria when combined with complement.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for BACTERIOLYSIN

The word "bacteriolysin" is derived from two roots: "bacterio" and "lys/o/in".

1. "Bacterio" is derived from the Greek word "bakterion", meaning "small stick" or "rod". In scientific terminology, it refers to bacteria or bacterium.

2. "Lys/o/in" is derived from the Greek word "lysis", which means "loosening" or "dissolution". In scientific terms, it signifies the breaking down or destruction of a substance or structure. The suffix "-in" denotes a substance or agent.

Combining these roots, "bacteriolysin" literally means a substance or agent that causes the dissolution or destruction of bacteria.

Plural form of BACTERIOLYSIN is BACTERIOLYSINS